Organic, a digital communications agency, released the results of its ROI study of Microsoft search engine, Bing. Using its Return on Marketing Investment model (ROMI) and Spend Plan Optimization Tool (SPOT), Organic compared the performance of Bing to Microsoft’s previous search engine, Live Search, over a two week period and found a nearly 23 percent lift in ROI in terms of marketing value for some of their top clients

Katz 360 Sales, the digital sales arm of the Katz Media Group, is delivering national and local advertisers a way to reach audiences across premium websites in addition to its extensive Radio and Television publishers. By using the Rubicon Project’s Internet advertising infrastructure, Katz 360 is now able to sell premium display ad inventory, and deliver targeted audiences to advertisers across the Web’s largest sites.

Spot Runner, a technology company developing the next generation of advertising services, and Yodle, an local online ad network, have agreed to a partnership that makes Yodle the local online advertising partner for Spot Runner. As part of the partnership, Yodle will assume responsibility for providing local online advertising services for Spot Runner’s local online clients, including several noteworthy franchise accounts, and collaborate with Spot Runner on future opportunities.

The Performance Marketing Alliance, a not-for-profit trade association for the performance marketing industry, announced the election of its board of directors by its charter members: Chris Henger, head of Google Affiliate Network; Scott Jangro, co-founder and CEO of MechMedia; Will Martin-Gill, director of internet marketing at eBay, Inc.; Kim Riedell, vice president of client development for Commission Junction; Brook Schaaf, founder and partner of Schaaf Consulting; Steve Schaffer, founder and CEO of Offers.com; Jason Spievak, co-founder and CEO of RingRevenue;
Tim Storm, CEO of FatWallet; and Brad Waller, vice president of business and affiliate development at ePage, Inc.

Pandora Media has hired Bill McDonald as sales manager for the northwest territory. Previously, McDonald was a network sales manager at CNET.

Spot Runner has welcomed Jon Rosen as vice president of sales and business development and Elizabeth Carrasco as vice president of online engineering for local marketing services.

The Disney-ABC Television group has welcomed three new execs to its fold. Karin Timpone was brought on board as senior vice president of product strategy and marketing (previously, Timpone was at Yahoo); Lauren DeVillier as vice president of digital media (also previously with Yahoo) and Beth Johnson as editorial director of digital media at Bravo (previously with ABC).

Spot Runner, an online and TV ad firm, has laid off 50 employees (about 10% of its staff), according to reports. But the firm is also reportedly hiring 40 people. The fire and hire is due to a business re-org launched months ago, as it looks to expand its presence in search and radio.

Dorian Sweet has been named vice president and executive creative director at gsi Interactive, the digital marketing and design arm of GSI Commerce. Previously, Sweet was executive creative director at Tribal DDB San Francisco.

Social media tech shop TruMedia Networks has named Rafe Anderson president and CEO. Most recently, Anderson was director of business development at Fenway Sports Group.

Spot Runner, an online virtual ad agency, will use the fresh funds to expand internationally and snap up other companies (they’ve already gobbled up Weblistic and GlobShooter) – and while they’re at it, expand into other forms of media, including print. (Hey oh! New competition for everyone’s favorite nemesis, Google.)

The company now has $111 million under its belt.

Joanne Bradford will spearhead Spot Runner’s new division – national marketing services, the unit focuses on national advertisers that aren’t being “served by the traditional agency community,” a release stated.

Bradford leaves MSN on the heels of a management shake-up in the software titan’s online advertising business – and Microsoft’s unsolicited bid for Yahoo Inc. Many industry vets see the takeover attempt as an admission of the company’s failure to compete with Google Inc.’s online advertising and search capabilities.

“Hiring Joanne is a huge win for Spot Runner and we are tremendously excited about the contributions she can make across our entire organization as a key member of the executive team. Her background in both online and offline media is a perfect fit for us,” said Nick Grouf, chairman and CEO of Spot Runner. “Early on, advertisers that were not served by the traditional agency community identified Spot Runner as an effective and affordable solution to market their business on a national and local level. As we’ve continued to make traction in this area, we saw the opportunity to bring on a seasoned senior executive to lead and accelerate our business with national advertisers.”

Spot Runner has recently gained steam as an advertising shop for smaller businesses. At MSN Bradford will reportedly be replaced by Greg Nelson until a permanent replacement can be found.

Spot Runner develops technology solutions for small local businesses to help them create video ads for television. The acquisition of Weblistic expands the company’s online advertising capabilities and complements its television and radio capabilities.

“Our objective is to help businesses drive awareness and attract new customers through multiple media channels, in an integrated manner, and online advertising is a top priority for us and for our clients,” said Nick Grouf, chairman and CEO of Spot Runner. “With Weblistic, we gain deep online advertising experience, cutting edge technology and a top-notch team.”

Weblistic has been a player in the online ad biz since the late 90’s when it developed the original technology for YellowPages.com. “Weblistic has always been passionate about making online advertising easy and turnkey for small and medium-sized businesses,” said Ketan Shah, CEO of Weblistic. “By joining forces with Spot Runner, which is the clear leader in local advertising services, we are now able to offer local advertisers a complete solution — including media planning and buying for TV, radio and online, affordable and high-quality creative, and expert consulting services.”

Spot Runner bought GlobeShooter — a network of independent filmmakers and videographers — in January.

The question is, “Who will it be?” The firm has been acquisition hungry since its last major purchase of 24/7 Real Media this year at a time when everyone was in the market to buy or sell.

Many experts have been throwing around the possibility of Spot Runner as the acquired WPP company, according to The New York Post. Spot Runner is an internet agency that makes TV advertising affordable for smaller businesses.

WPP was one of many companies to invest in Spot Runner in October of last year during a $40 million fund raising campaign. They also have a 3% stake in Spot Runner.

As an ad buyer, WPP handles about $50 billion in client advertising funds. WPP plans to use Spot Runner’s service to help clients target ads at the local level across multiple media channels, while keeping a consistent brand image. Interpublic is also interested in Spot Runner’s targeting capabilities and wants to develop its direct response and hyper-targeted communications abilities. CBS wants to use Spot Runner to help sell its TV, radio and internet ad properties, and to add a new ad channel specifically for local advertisers.

“CBS, WPP and Interpublic are amongst the most forward-thinking leaders in the media and advertising industries,” said Spot Runner CEO Nick Grouf in a statement. “Their investment in Spot Runner is a strong endorsement of our mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions for our mutual clients and of the importance of reaching customers at the local level.”

Financial specifics of the deal have not been released. Spot Runner will use the new funds to bolster its TV ad buying platform and expand into other markets like IPTV, online video, and video-on-demand.